Ted Danson Reveals Initial Resistance Casting Shelley Long Cheers

Ted Danson revealed on his podcast 'Where Everybody Knows Your Name' that he initially opposed casting Shelley Long as Diane Chambers on the iconic sitcom Cheers, fearing she would ruin the show. Despite their off-screen differences and difficulty in casual conversation, Danson acknowledged that Long's performance was pivotal, saying she "made the show" and came out "hitting a home run" from day one. Danson and Long's on-screen chemistry was described as intense, like a "prize fight," even though Danson attributes much of on-screen chemistry to good acting and writing rather than an ineffable quality. Co-host Helen Hunt suggested that while chemistry is largely about acting and writing, there can be a subtle, true spark between performers. Danson also humorously noted that people tend to do the opposite of his casting advice with great success, underscoring his initial misjudgment of Long. Their conversation highlighted the complexities behind casting and on-screen relationships in long-running television shows like Cheers.